MBB: Centennial Conference

[Hank Mardukas]

Yeah, I agree with you Hank, we should stick to Sports!!!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Lets keep this blog positive men. I am here to discuss sports not have people discuss my home address.

Yeah, I agree with you Hank, we should stick to Sports!!!

Oops... don't you hate it when that happens. You know... when you are trying to pretend you don't have multiple log ins and ... you forget to actually log off of your one account before posting a response... basically proving you are the same person.

Good knowing you Hank... and all of your personalities.

[HopkinsNest7]

Classic Mardukas talking in the third person, that guy must have a screw loose!

[noonhooper]

Interested in hearing your thoughts about Swat, Dave. They haven't made your top 25 yet and I am not here to complain about it but would be interested in hearing what you are looking for to convince you. Only asking because obviously others are seeing something they like but you have a pretty good eye for this. Thanks!

[NEPAFAN]

Shocked you needed to trace my IP to find out that I'm a die-hard Mules fan. Haven't missed a game since 82', Sorry I'm passionate about my community, you should feel this way about Hopkins being from Baltimore.

You do realize there are more programs in the Baltimore metro than JHU, right? Also, that some of us work to cover the entire division thus making our "passion" a little less singular.

Yeah Dave is a Goucher homer, get it right!

I think calling me a homer is a bit of a stretch.

It is tongue in check, relax.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I get it.
LOL

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Interested in hearing your thoughts about Swat, Dave. They haven't made your top 25 yet and I am not here to complain about it but would be interested in hearing what you are looking for to convince you. Only asking because obviously others are seeing something they like but you have a pretty good eye for this. Thanks!

I am torn. I have had Swat on the shortlist each poll. I know they have talent, but I also know they lost talent that gone them where they ended up. Their opponents winning percentage is 18-24 (.429). Their first set of games have been nothing to write home about especially opponent wise outside of Albertus Magnus who I have had my eye on as well (I think they are returning to form). There isn't a lot on their upcoming schedule that will necessarily answer any questions. They are well coached and if they tear through the Centennial, then they will be on my ballot for sure. I just haven't seen anything early on that has surprised me.

Not the best answer, I realize. Just not blowing me away, yet. I hopefully will get to see them in person a few times. That could help.

[noonhooper]

I think that's fair- they have a decent Ursinus team tonight and a surprise in York next week so maybe by Xmas the record will look better before heading to Middlebury. Thanks, Dave.

Big night in the conference today: Swat/Ursinus and JHU/F&M are some solid games on paper.

Predicitons:
SWAT
DICKINSON
HAVERFORD
WASHINGTON
F&M (i'd love to pick JHU here but you dont get a friendly whistle in Lancaster)

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I will note this: I don't think York is a surprise. They have been building to this season for awhile. Have one of the best centers (though he is listed as a forward) in the region and have been steadily been improving the last few years. Myers is back from injury and I think a major catalyst on this squad.

[Swat Fan #1]

Interested in hearing your thoughts about Swat, Dave. They haven't made your top 25 yet and I am not here to complain about it but would be interested in hearing what you are looking for to convince you. Only asking because obviously others are seeing something they like but you have a pretty good eye for this. Thanks!

I am torn. I have had Swat on the shortlist each poll. I know they have talent, but I also know they lost talent that gone them where they ended up. Their opponents winning percentage is 18-24 (.429). Their first set of games have been nothing to write home about especially opponent wise outside of Albertus Magnus who I have had my eye on as well (I think they are returning to form). There isn't a lot on their upcoming schedule that will necessarily answer any questions. They are well coached and if they tear through the Centennial, then they will be on my ballot for sure. I just haven't seen anything early on that has surprised me.

Not the best answer, I realize. Just not blowing me away, yet. I hopefully will get to see them in person a few times. That could help.

I am confused by your loss of talent part. Could you give me an example of who they lost that has't been replaced? They are playing a ton of players, haven't lost, and have the best one-two punch in the conference. Of course, I thought their game was at 8:00 tonight and signed in to see the final score. Ugh. I think they are much better than last year. Just my two cents which are worth less than a penny.

[noonhooper]

I am sure he is referencing Chris Bourne, Sam Lebryk, Matt Brennan, and Henry Cousineau- four major pieces of the title run last year. Yes, other guys have stepped up so far but I think it is fair to wait and see before we start calling for, say, an undefeated season.

I would argue that Albertus Magnus, @Dickinson and @York is a solid early set of games and maybe if things go well through next week maybe Chris will start coming around!

[noonhooper]

How about that F&M and JHU game?!? I only caught the first half and would love some insight on how F&M turned that thing around.

[Gabriel]

I watched the second half.  F&M made some defensive adjustments that were effective and JHU went cold, partly due to defensive pressure.  F&M just kept chipping away.  Federici came through with some key baskets in the paint.  He seems to be more muscular this year.  Defense is what turned it around.

[Gabriel]

Ursinus gave Swat all it could handle last night before losing 67-60. The Bears led for much of the first half and never trailed by more than four until the final seconds.  Score was 58-56 with 65 seconds to play but Garnet sealed it with 6 free throws to close it out.  Both teams played stellar defense and both high powered offenses were shut down.  Swat doubled Eric Williams every time he touched the ball and he was held to just 2 points.  Bears must find and answer to that issue during the break.  Ursinus held Cam Wiley to just 5 points with one 3 pt field goal early and two foul shots in the waning seconds.  Rebounding was a near draw with Swat hauling down 35 and the Bears 34.  Most effective offensive players were Quattro (19) and McTamney (12) for the Bears and O'Dell (13) and Yonda (13) for the Garnet. Good game by two solid teams.

[BeRightOn]

Good article on Swarthmore on "City of Basketball Love." Directly addresses turnover on the team and how underclassmen are stepping up.

http://www.cityofbasketballlove.com/news_article/show/864262?referrer_id=1618751